Implement attachment means



Nov. 27, 1951 F. T. COURT IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENT MEANS 2 SHEETS--SHEET 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1945 INVENTOR. FRANK T. COURT Nov. 27, 1951 F. 'r. COURT MENT ATTACHMENT MEANS IMPLE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 12. 1945 INVENTOR. FRANK T. COURT Patented Nov. 27, 1951 2,576,779 IMPLEMENT ATTACHMENT MEANS Frank. '13., Court, Moline, 111;, assignor to Deere & Company, Moline, 1l l.,. a corporation of Illinois Application'l ebruary '12, 1945 Serial N0.'57'7,'577

22-Claims. 1

The present invention relatesgenerally to agricultural implements and more. particularly to implements adapted to be mounted'directly on afarm tractor. Implements of this generaltype are commonly referred toas integral implements or tractor mounted implements.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of new and improved means for mounting implements of the: integral type: onthe supporting and propelling tractor so as to facilitate attaching ordetachin gythe implements- More particularly, it is afeature of this invention to provide new and improved mounting means whereby the connectingor" disconnecting of the implement may readily be effected in avery short time. Further, it isa feature ofthis invention to provide means whereby the connecting and disconnecting of the implement may be effected by power, and stilYfurther, it is a feature of this invention to provide. means Whereby'the tools of the implement may also" be controlled by power derived from the tractor motor. It is an additional feature of this inven-' tion to provide means for utilizing the same power operating unit on the tractor for not only controlling the tools ofthe' implement-butalso operating theimplement attaching andrdetaching means.

Still another featureofthe present invention is the provision of implement attaching and-disconnecting means which. may be actuated without requiring that. the operator leave his seat-onthe tractor.

These and other objectsand advantages of the present invention. will beapparent to those skilled in the art after aconsiderationof the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichone preferred form of the present invention has been illustrated.

Inthe drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a tractor mounted plow in which the principles of the'present invention have been incorporated.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the implement, showingithe parts thereof in the:positions'theyoccupy when the implement is disconnected from; the tractor-.-v

Figure 3 is afragmentary side view showing the relation. between the frontend ofthe imple' ment and. the adjacent portions ofthe tractor just after theimplement has been detached from the tractor, or in the relative positions: these parts: occupywhen the implementis ready tos-b'e attached tothe tractor.

Figure 4 is a: fragmentary plan view showing the clutch and associated parts which connect the power attaching. means with the power lift mechanism of the tractor.

Figure 5 is a view taken generally along the line 51-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side View showing the details of. the mechanism by which the implement-actuating. power lift armisautomatically disconnected from the power lift rockshaft of the tractor when the implement is disconnected from the tractor.

Figure: '7 is a modified View showing a handoperated mechanism for releasing the implement, in: connection with power operated meansfor attaching the implement to the tractor;

Referring now to the drawings, particularly Figures-1 and 2, the reference numeral i indicatesthe tractor and the reference numeral 2' indicates the implement that may, according tothe principles of thepresent invention, bereadily disconnected from or connectedto the. tractor l. The latter comprises more or less conventional structure, so far asthe present invention is concerned, and embodies rear supporting wheels 3, a power plant 4 and a frame 5. Preferably,- the tractor I- has an operators seat I disposedv above and/or forwardly of the motor 4, and the rear traction wheels are connected to stub axles supported in a pair of drop housings a forming a partof a rear axle structure a in which power drivenaxle shafts H are mounted. The tractor lis also provided with a power lift apparatus;

indicated in itsentirety by the reference numeral l5. So far as the present inventionis concerned,- the'power lift apparatus iii'ma'y take any suitable form, preferably includingv a cylinder itwinwhieha-piston IT is moved, the latter being. connected-to the inner end of apiston rod lit. The fluid is directed to one or the other of the ends of the cylinder H5 through connections it. The'flow of fluid to and from the cylinder i6-is=controlledby any suitable valve mechanism, the actuation of which causes the pistonil tobeforced outwardly or inwardly, as desired, and held inany intermediate position ofadjustment. Mechanism ofthis type is well known, sofar as-this invention is' coneerned and for one form of hydraulic mechanism of this" type reference may be had to my co-pending U. S; application, Serial No. 5615433; filed November l, 1944-, for Hydraulic Mechanism; now- U. S. Patent 2,482,249, issued September 20; 1949. The outer endof: the-piston rod i8 is'c'ona nected through a link 25 andassociated balk and socket joints to a stud 26' carried at'the" upper; or.

outer end of an arm 2! fixed in any suitable manner to a rockshaft 28 supported by bearings 29 and 3| carried by the side members 32 and 33 (Figure 4) forming portions of the tractor frame 5.

For purposes of illustration I have shown the implement 2 as being in the form of an integral single bottom plow, but it is to be understood that the present invention is not necessarily limited to a plow or, in fact, to earth-working tools. Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, the implement 2 includes an attaching frame 40 and an earth-working tool 4| in the form of a plow,

including a plow beam 42 having a plow bottomat their ends by front and rear end bars 41 and 48. The rear ends of the frame bars 45 and 46 are turned upwardly, as at 5|, and secured to each upturned end is a bracket 52, preferably fastened to the associated end 5| by bolts 53 or the like. The rear portion of each bracket is apertured to receive a transverse lifting shaft 55, each bracket formed with or carrying suitable bearing means 56 receiving the rockshaft 55. A pair of arms 58 are fixed at their inner ends to the ends of the rockshaft and at their other ends are apertured to receive a cross bar 69 carrying a slide block 60a to which is pivotally connected the forward or upper end of a link 59, the other end of which is pivotally connected in any suitable way, as by a swivel 6|, to the beam 42. Whenever the rockshaft 55 is rocked in one direction or the other the rear end of the plow is raised or lowered.

A third arm 66 is fixed to the right end of the rockshaft 55 and is apertured to receive the inwardly turned end 67 of a link 63 which extends forwardly underneath the rear axle 9 of the tractor. The forward end of the link 68 is turned outwardly, as at H, and inserted through an opening in the lower end of a swinging link member I2, the upper end of which is pivotally connected, as at 13, to the upper end of an arm I4, the lower end of the latter being fixed to a cross shaft 15 supported for rocking movement in a pair of brackets 76 fixed in depending relation, as by bolts 11, to the front ends of the implement frame bars 45 and 46. An arm I9 is fixed at its forward end to the intermediate portion (see Figure 2) of the cross shaft '75 and at its rear end is apertured to receive a pivot pin BI by which the bifurcated head 82 of a draw bolt 83 is connected thereto. The draw bolt 83 extends rearwardly through a leveling bracket 85 fixed in any suitable manner, as by bolts 86, to the front end of the beam 42. A compression spring 81 is disposed about the rear end of the draw bolt 83, and the rear end of the spring 81 bears against a washer 68 held in position on the draw bolt 83 by a nut 89 or the like.

A power lift actuated arm indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 9| is connected to the right end of the power lift rockshaft 2B. The particular details of the arm 9|, especially in connection with its quick detachability, will be referred to below. It sufices for the moment to not that the lower end of the arm 9| is pivotally connected with the forward end of a link member 92, the rear end of WhlCh is pivotally connected, as at 93, to an arm 94 forming a forwardly extending rigid part on a link 95. The latter is pivoted, as at 96, to a bracket 91 fixed to the 4 right end implement frame bar 46. The other end of the link 95 is pivoted, as at 98, to the upper end of a link 99, the lower end of which is pivoted, as at "II, to the link I2 at/or adjacent to the pivot 1| The rigid arm 94 is formed with a stop extension I92 which, when the plow is lifted, bears against the lower end of the link 99, as shown in Figure 1. The left end of the transverse shaft 15 carries a forwardly extending arm I I I which is connected by an upwardly extending link M2 to the forward end of a lever I I4 that is swingably mounted on a transverse supporting shaft II5 carried by the brackets 16. The rear end of the swingable lever H4 is connected by a link II! to the intermediate portion of an arm II8 that is mounted at its inner end for swinging movement on the transverse shaft 75. The arm II8 includes an upwardly extended section II9which at its rear end is pivotally connected by a link I2I to the other end of the leveling bracket 85. The linkage just described serves automatically to level the plow bottom 43 when the rockshaft l5 and associated parts is rocked to adjust the depth of operation of the plow. Linkage of this type is disclosed in more detail and claimed in my co-pending United States application, Serial No. 534,948, filed May 10, 1944.

The mechanism for quickly attaching and detaching the implement and which is operated by the tractor power lift will now be described. A pair of brackets I3I are rigidly connected, as by bolts I32, to the rear axle 9 of the tractor, and each bracket includes a rear upturned section I33 that is provided with a rearwardly facing notch I34 having rearwardly diverging or flaring edges, as best shown in Figure 1. A stud I36 is fixed to each rear upturned end 5| of the implement frame and is adapted to seat in the associated notch I34. The forward end of each of the implement frame bars and 46 is provide with a downwardly facing notch or recess I31 arranged at a somewhat rearward angle, as best shown in Figure 3. The front portions of the tractor frame bars 32, 33 are provide with depending brackets I4I (Figure 1) in which a cross shaft I42 is rockingly mounted. An arm I43 is fixed rigidly to each end of the cross shaft I42 and at its outer end carries a pivot member I45 to which the upper end of a link I46 is connected. The lower end of each of the links I46 carries a stud I41. The studs I41 are adapted to enter the notches I3I in the front ends of the implement frame bars 45 and 46. An arm I5I is fixed to the generally central portion of the cross shaft I 42 and is connected by a curved link I52 to an arm I53 which is swingably mounted on the cross shaft 28 (Figure 4) that is carried on the tractor. The arm I53 is provided with a hub section I55 having a notch I56 in which a lug on a clutch dog I5! is adapted to enter. The dog I5"! is slidable on the shaft 28 but is held against rotation relative thereto by means of a key and slot arrangement, as indicated at I58 in Figures 4 and 5. When the clutch dog I5! is engaged with the hub I55 of the arm I53, the latter is locked to rotate or rock with the shaft 28. This is the position shown in Figure 4.

The clutch dog I5! is controlled by means of a pair of arms I 6| and I62 which carry lugs I63 that ride in a groove I64 (Figure 4) formed on the clutch dog I51. The inner ends of the arms |6|,and I62 are connected together by a sleeve section I6I, being preferably welded thereto, and the arm assembly, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral I68, is rockingly mounted onthe lower eridof a shaft I which is carried in a frame I12 that is Bolted,- as at I13,- to the front'platform I14 of the tractor. 'Ihefr'ame- I12 extends well below the platform I14 so as to bring thearm: assembly I68 generally the horizon-'- tal plane of the shaft 28. A clip I16 is secured by one of the bolts I13 and receives abalancing spring I11, the rear end of which is connected, asby a cotter, to the pivot I18 which connects the curved link I52 to the arm- I53. The purpose of the spring I11, which is relatively light, is to balance the weight of theswinging arm-s I43 and associated parts whenthe clutch member I 51 is" disconnected from the arm I53, whereby the spring I1-1 normally holds the arms I43 andlinlis an upper position, The shaft I-1-I'at' its upper end-is bent to formahandl section I81 andat its lower end the shaft I1-'I darri'esvafi arm I82 to the outer end of which a-pin or stud I83 is hired. A relatively strong spring I04 is connected at its forward end to the" stud I83 and at its rear end to a lug I85 fixed to the low-' er arm section I62, as best shown in Figure 5'.

.The platform I'M carries a pair of stops I86 (See Figure 4) andthe arm E82 extends forwardly so thatby swinging the handle I8I against one or the other of its stops I86, the spring I84 acts as an over-center device resiliently'urg'ing the clutch dog I51 either into anengaged position with respect to the hub I55 or into a disengaged position. As shown in Figure- 4 the spring I 84 urges the clutchdog' I51l into engagement with the hub I55. A pair of stops I90,- preferably in th form of small-blocks, welded or otherwise fixed to the tractor frame members 32' and 33, are disposed so as to limit the upward swinging of the arms I43 to the position shown in Figure 1-. Secured to the lower edge ofeach ofthe" tractor frame bars 32 and 33 is a leaf spring I91 arranged to form a resilient abutment'by having the ends of the springs I9'I engage-the top flange of the implement across frame member, as best shown in Figure-1.

The quick detachable-arm 9I-', mentioned in the first part of'this description, is of particular con struction and is especially adapted to be removed or attached quickly and easi1yand is also arranged to be detached merely by theprop'e'r op eration of the frame disconnecting mechanism and the subsequent forward movementof the tractor relative to-the-implemen't; The quick detachable arm- 9| will now be described. As best shown in Figure 4', the right endof the rockshaft 28 carries a plate I15 to which a pair ofstud's I96 and I91 are fixed, generally in diametrically apposed relation, as best shown in Figur 3'; The plate H5 is secured to" theright' end of'the cross shaft 28, which latter is preferably tapered, by any suitable means-such as a nut I-98L The arm member 9| consists of" two arm sections 201 and 202, pivotally connected together-at'their-lowor end by any suitable means and' apertured: to receive the forward laterally inturned" end 203" of the power lift-link 92. Each of the arm; sections MI and 202 is formed with a head 205 having a laterally inwardly directeds1ot206; the walls of which are" spaced practically exactly; the diam eter of, the studs I95 and I91. If" desired, the latter may be formed with flangesforminga head, as indicated at 208m Figure 4, toprevent the armfrom slipping endwise' off the studs I86 and I911.

A yoke 2I5, prefer'ably'in the form of an encircling. strap member, is disposed aboutthemid die portions of'the' arm sections'20 I and 202', each of which middle portions -is provided withi a notch 215 (Figure 1) The-yoke 2-'l5"--is guided by a pin or red 2-318- and is" contiI-iually urged in an upward or inward direction, toward the: head ends" or the.

on the plate I 15 bymanually pressing the-yoke 2I5' downwardly" until the arms 2M and 202'.- can be spread V apart sumcient' to: engage the ends. of

they'oke: in the notches-116; this being th'e 'posi'e tion or the-arm member 91 shown in Figure; 6'; This provides. sufficient clearance to engage: one of the arms, such. as. the: arm: section? 202, with the stud- I921; whereupon the; entirearm: 9 I1 can then: be swung about: the stud I91 as acenter until the other notch 206 comes into-a position op posite' its stud- I96; The arm sections 201 and 202: can" then: be moved' toward One anothermanual1y,and: as soonas-the edges of the notches 216 clear the ends of the yoke 2I5,. the. spring 2I9= urges the latter along the arm sections 201' and 202 in. wedging, engagement, as shown: iniFigure 1, thus effectively holding the arm'sections 20I and 202: in engaged relation with: respect: to the plate" I15.and the studs I-96and1 I9s1. thereon; The arm 9 I may hex-detached. manually 'by manually pressing downwardly on the yoke: 215'. (Fig ure 1) until the endsi'enter' the: notches. 2. I6, whereupon thearm sections may then bespread apart, the engagement of the ends of: the; yoke 215 in the notches 216' preventing, the; expansion of the spring 2I9 sov that" the arm sectionswill be. maintained in their: spread. or's'eparated rela= tionl Thee arm: 911- may then be'swung awayrfrom one of the studs and lifted from the: other; stud. Preferably; however, means is" provided for automatically disconnecting the arm 91 buttthiszmeans willbe described later:

The; operation: of the implement, as. so far described is'rsubstantially aspf'ollows'.v

Figure 1 shows they parts in the positionsathey; occupy' when. the; plow and? its frame are; locked to the tractor, and: the, plow raised into a transport position, facilitating travel; of: the outfit along roadsland highways or; from onefield: to another. By proper actuation of the power. lift apparatus; which includestheram unit I5,. the arm 9t: may be:swun'g fore and aft toraise and lower the plow bottom 43 and also adjust the operating: position thereof through" the linkage which includes the parts: 14,, 15. 1.9,. 12?, 92, 9E, and 99", together with the link 63, the two arms 58 and 66; which: form a bell crank; and: the associated link- 59. Whenthe plow'is in operating position and it is desired toraise and lower the same or to adjust its depth by rocking the arm 9 I in a foreand aft-directionby rocking the rockshaft 28, the clutch dog I51 (Figure 4'). isin the position shown in dotted lines disengaged" from thearm I53 so that thelatteri's: not aiiected' by therockingofthe'crossshaft28;

When it isdesired to remove the implement from the tractor, as" after aplowingbperation; the plow 43 and associated parts-are-raised 'into their transport positions and the tractor driven to the point where it is desired to leave the implement, the transport position of the implement being shown in- Figure 1. The handle I8I (Figure 4) is first swung from the dotted line position into thefull lineposit-ion; which causes the clutch-= dog I51 to engagethehub I 55 of the arm I53 so that rocking movement of the'rock shaft 28 will alsorock the arm I53. First, however, it is to be notedthat when the implement is attached to the tractor not only are the studs I36 held in the notches I34 at the rear of the tractor but, in addition, the front ends of the frame members 45 and 46 are held up in position against the tractor, with the abutment springs I9I bearing against the cross angle4l, by the engagement of the studs I4I in the notches I31 and the arms I4'3 occupying an over-center position and lying against the stops I90. This over-center position is best shown in Figure l in which it will be seen that the axis defined by the cross shaft I42 lies to the right of a line connecting the studs I47 and the pivot I45. It will also be noted that the action of the abutment springs I 9 I, which may be relatively heavy, is to actively hold the arms I43 against the associated stops I96.

Now when it is desired to disconnect the implement, as mentioned above, the first step is to swing the handle IBI from its dotted line position over into its full line position (Figure 4) This causes the spring I34 to swing the arm assembly I66 toward the left, bringing the clutch member I51 over into a position engaging the hub I55 and locking the arm I53 to the rockshaft 28. The clutch members and associated parts are so arranged that when the power lift apparatus on the tractor is in its extended position the corresponding position of the rockshaft 28 is such that the lug on the shiftable clutch member moves directly into the notch I56.

After the clutch dog I5'I has been engaged with the hub I55 of arm I53, the power lift apparatus I5 is actuated to lower the plow 43 to the ground by a forward movement of the arm:9I. This not only lowers the plow bottom but, since the arm I53 is locked to the rockshaft 28, the arms I43 are swung downwardly, carrying the links I46 downwardly past their dead center relationship with respect to the pivot shaft I42 and substantially into the position shown in Figure 3 in which the front brackets 16 rest on the ground and the links I46 are free to swing away from the implement frame. During the movement of the front end of the frame 4llto the ground, as just mentioned, the studs I36 remain in the slots or notches I34. However, when the front end of the frame 49 drops to the ground the associated linkage and other parts at the front end of the plow are also carried down into engagement with the ground so that, after disconnecting the arm ill from the studs I96 and I91 and driving the tractor forwardly,- the rear end of the frame, including the studs I36, does not settle downwardly appreciably, but instead they remain in a position in which the tractor may be readily backed thereinto, when reconnecting the implement. In reconnecting the implement, it is not necessary to back the tractor until the studs seat in the bottom of the frame notches I34; all that is necessary is that the tractor be backed into a position in which the studs I36 lie in or closely adjacent the mouth or entrance opening of the notches I34. Reconnecting the implement with the tractor is described in detail below. Thus, the power lift apparatus is easily and conveniently operated to disconnect the implement from the tractor. As described above, the arm 9| may be disc'onnected manually by pressing down on the yoke 2I5 to permit the arm sections 29I and 202 to be spread apartsothey can be removed from the studs I96 thus removed from the studs I96 and I9! remains with the implement as a part thereof. Usually it is preferable to swing the links I4'6 upwardly into a position so that they do not strike objects on the ground in the further operation of the tractor, and to do this it is merely necessary either to operate the power lift to swing the arms I43 forwardly substantially into the position shown in Figure l, or to release the clutch dog I51 by swinging the handle I8I over into its dotted line position, whereupon the balancing spring I" will either raise the links I46 or hold them in their raised position if they are lifted manually. After the arm 9I has been disconnected the tractor may then be driven directly away from the implement, the studs I36 slipping out of the notches I34 in the tractor frame brackets I3I.

It will be seen from Figure l that the left end of the shaft 28 is also provided with a plate I15 carrying studs I96 and I9? so that, in the event some implement is attachedto the tractor that requires two lifting and/or operating arms, two arms 9| may be provided and connected and disconnected from the rockshaft 2B in the manner just described.

In disconnecting the arm or arms 9|, as described above, they are removed manually. According to the principles of the present invention, however, I prefer to provide means for automatically disconnecting each arm 9I by the action of disconnecting the implement frame. Referring now to Figure 6, it will be seen that I have provided a U-shaped bracket 229 having its short section 22I welded or otherwise secured to the upper edge of the associated arm I43. The longer section 222 of the bracket 229 is apertured to receive the rear end of a tension spring 223.

The forward end of the spring 223 is connected,

to a transverse lug 224 carried on a swinging pawl 225, the latter being swingably mounted in an opening 226 (Figure 3) in the plate I15. The lug 224 is arranged to operate against a cam member 227 which is mounted on the yoke 2I5 in such a position that, as shown in Figure 6, when the arm I43 is swung from the position shown in Figure 1 down to the position shown in Figure 6, the spring 223 is tensioned and pulls the lug 224 with sufiicient force against the cam 221 to force the yoke 2I5 down into a position where the notches 2I6 engage the ends of the yoke 2I5. In acting in this manner, a portion of the pawl 225 rides against the arm section 26I, forcing the upper end away from the stud I 96, as shown in Figure 6. Then when the tractor is driven away from the implement the stud 228 on the plate Il5 serves as a fulcrum against which the arm section 202 is pulled, since the implement remains on the ground while the tractor is driven forwardly. The forward movement of the tractor then rocks the arm 262 out of engagement with the stud I3! and the arm 9I then falls tothe ground entirely disconnected from the tractor. It will be seen that this disconnection of the arm 9I is effected automatically and without any additional attention on the part of the operator.

The implement is attached to the tractor in about as short a length of time as is required for its disconnection. With the implement on the ground, the tractor is backed into a position so that the notches I34 are in front of the studs I36 on the implement frame, whereby the studs I36 are in a position at the mouth or entrance of the notches I34 and thereby in a position to when the implement frame is locked to the tractor. Backing the tractor into the position lust mentioned brings the rockshaft '28 and associated parts substantially over the front end of the frame, in the position shown in Figure The clutch I5! is then engaged With the hub I55 of the arm 153 if for any reason it has been disengaged, vand next the power lift I5 is actuated to swing the arm 21 rearwardly. This also swings the arm I53 rearwardly and lowers the arms 143 and links I46. Next the handle I 8| is swung over into its dotted line position to disengage the clutch so as to permit an independent movement of the arms I43, which is permitted by virtue of a small amount of lost motion between the clutch dog I51 and its notch J56 in the hub I55. The operator then .dismounts from the tractor and manually swings the links I46 reariwardly adistance suiiicient to bring the studs I 4''! under the notches I31.- Then the links I46 are raised manually to seat the studs I41 in the notches I31, this causing a slight rotation of the arms I43 and the rockshaftI42. fIhe balancing spring I I1 exerts suflicient force to hold the links I46 and the studs I41 thereon engaged with the notches I31 in the .frame .of the implement. Next the operator swings the control handle I8I from its dotted line position ,(F'igure 4 over into its full line position and then operates the power lift apparatus I5 to rock the arrn I53 forwardly. This swings the arms I43 in a counterclockwise direction (Figure .3) and thl s exerts immediately a li ti g ffort on t front end f the fram which is also pulled forward ,a slight distance sufiioient to cause :thestuds I36 to enter the associated notches I34, since in swinging up.- wardly f om the posi n shown in Fi ure the arms I 43 act through the links I46 not only to lift the front end of the implement frame but also to move the same forwardly a slight amount relative .to the tractor. As the arms .I.43 are con-.- tinued to be swung in a counterclockwise direction, they eventually pull the front endof the implement frame up against the springs I9I and swing the links I46 into an over-center position with respect to the shaft I42 the arms I143 coming to rest against the stops I90 at the same time that the power lift apparatus reaches its fully extended position (Figure l). links I43 and I46 therefore act, in conjunction with the abutment members or springs I.9I, as an over-center lock effectively holding the front end of the implement frame up against the tractor-frame and, in addition, holding the rear end of the implement frame fully engaged in the notches I34 on the tractor-carried brackets I3I. All that now remains to be done is to manually connect the arms :ZOI, 202 with the studs I96 or I9! and lastly to swing the-handle I8I from itsulll ne p siti 'over in o i s t ed l ne posi tion so as to release the arm I53 from its clutch connection with the power lift .shaft 28, thus freeing the implement connecting apparatus, with the implement locked to the tractor, from its connection with the power lift apparatus of the tractor and thus releasing the latter ,for actuation to raise and lowerand/or adjust theimplemcnt 1 0.1 3.-

2;! and connected thereto by the clutch I51, I now provide an arm 2 5 r an ed to take the place The arms and of, arm I 5.3 but fixed rigidly to the cross shaft 28. The arm 235 is connected through the link I52 to an arm 236 which is loose on the shaft I42. The arm 236 carries a lug 23? which isin .a position to engage the forward edge of the arm 1'43, thereby forming a one way connection therewith. The other parts shown in Figure '7 are described above except that, instead of the fixed stop I30, I provide a hand operated cam member '24I having a handle portion 242 and an eccentric section 24.3 pivotally mounted, as at 244, on a bracket mounted on the tractor frame bar 33 in the proper position to serve, in the position shown in Figure 7,, as a stop for the arm I43 in exactly thesame Way as the stop 1,90 described above.

In operation the form of the invention shown in Figure 7 acts as described above so far as attaching the implement to the tractor by power is concerned. It will be clear from Figure "I, when the power lift is actuated to swing the rockshaft 28 in a clockwise direction, ,a pull is exerted by the arm 235 that is fixed to the shaft 28 on the link ,I 52, and the link I52 exerts a rocking action on the loose arm 2.36 which has the Stop 231 thereon. The stop 23'! therefore acts to swing the arm I43 up into the position in Figure "7, which corresponds to the same position of the arm I43 shown in Figure 1, the points I45 and I4! passing beyond an overcenter position so as to lock the -plow frame to the tractor. When it is desired to disconnect the plow frame, all that it is necessary to d is t grasp t handle 242 and lift upwardly and f rward y th re n- This cau es the cam r eccentric po i n 243 to pass against the rear edge of the arm I43, by swinging the sameout of its v cen r position and into a position in which the ,arms I43 are free to swing downwa dly into a position cor esponding t that sh wn in F e 3- While I have shown and des r ed ab v the pref rr d tructure in which the pr cip s of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be 'l'imitedto the particular details shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely different means may be emp y d in the practice of th broader aspects of ,my invention.

What ,I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

,1. The combination with a tractor having a source of power, a swingable part mounted on the tractor for movement upwardly and forwardly relative thereto and downwardly and rearwardly relative thereto, and means for operating said part from said source of power, of an implement adapted to be attached to the tractor, interengaging parts on the rear portion of the tractor and the i p m apted, when engaged, to cause the implement to be supported on the tractor, and a part on the forw d p rtion ojfthe implement for receiving said swingable part whereby operation of the latter by said power lift in an upward and forward direction serves to bring said interengaging parts into engagement and thereby to attach said implement to said tractor.

.2, In an agricultural machine, including a tractor having a power operated part and an implement having .a part to be adjusted, a quick detachable arm comprising a pair of relatively movablemembers pivotally connected together, means serving as .a pair of studs on said Power operated part, means .on said members to receive said studs, and releasable means for h ld n said members engaged with said studs.

3. In an agricultural machine, a power operated part having a pair of studs, and an implement adjusting arm comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together at their outer ends and having at their inner ends a pair of slotted heads, the slots being adapted to engage said studs, and detachable -means for holding said members engaged with said studs. 4. The combination with an implement having tool means adapted to be raised and lowered, said implement being adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power lift device and including a rockshaft operated thereby, of interengageable parts for connecting said rockshaft with said tool means, whereby operation of said rockshaft serves to shift said tool means, an auxiliary device adapted to be operated optionally from said rockshaft, and clutch means on the latter adapted optionally to connect said auxiliary device with said rockshaft to be operated with the latter from said power lift device.

5. The invention set forth in claim 4, further characterized by said clutch including parts adapted to interengage in certain relative angular positions, one of said parts being connected with said rockshaft, and means for shifting said clutch including a spring biased member adapted to move the other of said clutch parts into engagement with the other, said member being movable into clutch engaging position before said clutch parts are in an angular position accommodating engagement, the force of said spring bias serving to cause said clutch parts to engage when said rockshaft has been moved into the proper position for engagement.

6. .In an agricultural machine, a tractor having .power control mechanism, an implement adapted to be connected to the tractor and having tool means, adapted to be adjusted, means connected with said power control mechanism for adjusting said tool means, toggle mechanism for connecting said implement to the tractor, a part connected with the power control mechanism and having a one-way connection with said toggle mechanism for operating the latter to raise the implement when the power control mechanism is operated in one direction, and a shiftable member on the tractor positioned to act against said toggle mechanism when the latter is disconnected from said power control mechanism for releasing the implement from the tractor by moving said toggle mechanism past its overcenter locking position. '7. An implement adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power operated part movably mounted on the tractor forward of the rear end thereof, and implement-receiving means disposed generally at the rear of the tractor, said implement comprising frame means, a part on the rear of the frame means adapted to engage said implement-receiving means on the rear portion of the tractor when the implement frame means is shifted in one direction relative to the tractor, and a part on the forward portion of the implement to receive said power operated part whereby movement of the latter in said direction connects the rear portion of said frame means with the implement-receiving means at the rear of the tractor, said tractor power operated part being movable in a direction to shift theforward portion of said implement frame means into a position connecting the frame means to the tractor, thereby connecting the implement frame means to the tractor by the operation of the tractor power unit. y

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. l2 8. An implement adapted to be connected to a tractor having a power operated unit, a generally rearwardly facing implement-receiving socket, and an implement shifting means including an upwardly and forwardly movable part connected with said power operated unit, said implement comprising frame means, a part carried by the rear portion of said implement frame means and adapted to seat in said socket, and means on the forward portion of said frame means to receive said upwardly and forwardly movable part whereby the latter is adapted to engage the forward portion of said frame means and draw the same upwardly into supporting relation with respect to the tractor and engage said rear implement carried part in said rear wardly facing socket on the tractor. 9. An agricultural machine including a tractor having a power operated part and an implement adapted to be mounted on a tractor, said implement comprising frame means adapted to be carried by the tractor, bracket means adapted to be fixed to the tractor, means on the implement frame means interengaging with said bracket means for holding the rear portion of said frame means on the tractor, a shiftable part mounted on said tractor and includinga portion engageable with the front end of said implement frame means for holding the latter in position on the tractor and also holding said implement frame means engaged with said bracket means, and means operated by said power unit for actuating said part. j 10. In an agricultural implement, a mobile support, an operating member carried thereby, a part adapted to be attached tosaid support, a pair of pivotally interconnected links, one be-'- ing adapted to be connected with said'part and the other swingably mounted on said support, stop means associated with one of said links to define an over-center position for holding said part connected to said mobile support, and means releasably connecting said swingably mounted link with said operating member whereby move ment of the latter may be utilized for swinging said swingable link into said overcenter position and the swingable member released from said operating member to free the latter for other services. 7

11. An agricultural implement, a mobile sup-' port having a power operated unit, bracket means attachable tothe rear of said mobile support and having generally rearwardly facing sockets, abutment means on the rear of the implement engageable in said sockets by a rear- Ward movement of said mobile support relative to the implement, a swingable part mounted on said mobile support forward of said brackets and engageable with the forward end of the imple ment for exerting a forward and upward pull thereon relative to said mobile support, whereby said implement is held in engagement with said rearwardly facing sockets, and means opera-'- tively connecting said power unit with said swingable member. i

12. An implement adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a rearwardly facing socket at its rear end and an implement-engaging part at. its forward end swingable relative to the tractor in a generally upward and forward direction, said. implement comprising frame means, a part car-- ried at the rear of said frame means and adapted to seat in said socket when the implementframe is moved forwardly relativetto the tractor, and socket means on the forward end of saidframe 13 and adapted to be engaged 'by gsaid implement.- engag-ing part of the tractor --vvhereby upward and forward movement .of the latter serves to draw said frame forwardly and upwardly relative to the tractor and cause said implement part to seat in said socket.

13. An implement adapted to bemounted on a tractor having a rearwardly facing socket at its rear end, a power operated arm swingably mounted on the tractor and a link pivotally connected with said arm, said implement comprising frame means, a part carried at the rear of said frame means and adapted to seat in said socket when the implementframeis moved for- .-:wa1'd y relative to the tractor, ocket me n n the forward end of said frame and adapted to be engaged by said link at itslower end, swinging movement of said arm acting through said link to pull said implement frame upwardly and forwardly relative to the tractor and forward movementof said frame relative to said tractor causing said implement part to engage in said socket ontherea-r of the -traetor,-sa-id arm and link mov-' ing into an over center position for locking the front end of said implement frame to the tractor.

'14. The combination with a tractor having a rearwardly facingsecket at its rear end, a power operated arm swing ably'mou-nted on the tractor and a'linkpivotally connected with said arm, of an implement adapted to -be connected withsaid tractor and comprising frame means, a part carried at the rear of said frame means and adapted to seat in said socket when the implement frame is moved forwardly relative to the tractor, socket means on the forward end of said frame and adapted to be engaged by said link at its lower end, swinging movement of said arm acting through said link to pull said implement frame upwardly and forwardly relative to the tractor and forward movement of said frame relative to said tractor causing said implement part to engage in said socket on the rear of the tractor, said arm and link moving into an over center position for locking the front end of said implement frame to the tractor.

15. The combination with a tractor having a pair of brackets fixed thereto each bracket having a rearwardly facing socket at its rear end, a pair of power actuated arms swingable on the tractor, a link pivoted at one end to each of said arms, the other end of each link having a stud, of an implement adapted to be connected with said tractorand comprising frame means, a transverse bar carried by the rear portion of said frame means and adapted to be received in said bracket sockets when the implement frame is moved forwardly relative to the tractor, a pair of sockets on the front end of said implement frame means and adapted to receive the studs on the ends of said links, swinging movement of said arms acting through said links and studs to shift said implement frame means upwardly and forwardly relative to the tractor so as to cause said transverse bar to seat in the bracket sockets, said arms and links moving into an overcenter position for locking the front end of said implement frame to the tractor.

16. In a tractor adapted to have an implement frame connected therewith, a mobile support, an arm swingably mounted thereon, an abutment on said support adapted to be engaged by said implement frame in one position of the latter relative to the tractor, a link pivotally connected at one end to the outer end of said arm, implementengaging means on the other end of said link,

said link-and arm heing -br'ong'ht into an gover .-,center position when said implement-engaging member with said power ,operated unit, an implementeattaching means movably mounted on said tractor, and a clutch for optionally connecting said power operated unit with said :imple- :menteattaching means for actuating the latter from said power operated -.unit.

18. A tractor adapted to support an "agricul- :tural implement or ,the like, nomprising a mobile power operated support, a power operated unit mounted on said support, an implement-attaching means movably mounted ,on the tractor including parts movable into an :overcenter :positicn for locking the implement to the tractor, and means for actuating said implement-attaching means from said power operated unit on the tractoznincluding a shiftable clutch disposed between said parts and said power operated unit for disconnecting the latter therefrom after said implement has been attached to the tractor.

19. An agricultural machine adapted to be mounted on a tractor having a power operated part, said machine including an implement frame adapted to be detached from and connected to said tractor and including tool means adapted to be adjusted relative to said implement frame, means for connecting said power operated part with said implement tool means to operate the latter, said means including an arm having a detachable connection with said power operated part, means operated by said power operated part for disconnecting said implement frame from the tractor, said means including a member movable relative to said arm into a given position with respect thereto when the implement frame is disconnected from the tractor, and means responsive to movement of said member into said given position, in detaching said implement frame from the tractor, for disconnecting said detachable arm from said power operated part on the tractor.

20. An agricultural machine adapted to be mounted on a mobile support having a power operated rockshaft carried thereby, said agricultural machine including frame means, groundworking tool means movable relative to said frame means, an implement-adjusting arm, means for detachably connecting said arm with said rockshaft, an implement-engaging and attaching means adapted to be carried by said support, shiftable clutch means for optionally connecting said implement-engaging and attaching means with said power operated rockshaft to be operated by movement of the latter, a member carried by said implement-engaging and attaching means and movable in a given direction relative to said arm when said implement-engaging and attaching means is moved in a direction accommodating disconnection of the implement frame from said mobile support, and means operated by movement of said member for disconnecting the detachable arm from the rockshaft.

21. The combination with a tractor adapted to support an agricultural implement or the like and comprising a mobile power operated support, a power operated unit mounted thereon, an implement-adjusting arm rockably mounted on said support, means for connecting said arm with said power operated unit to be operated thereby, an implement-attaching means movably mounted on said support, and means for actuating said implement-attaching means from said power operated unit, including a shiftable clutch adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from said implement-adjusting arm, of an implement adapted to be attached to said tractor and including a frame and removable tool adjustable relative to said frame, said frame having means engageable by said implement-attaching means whereby the latter connects the frame rigidly to the tractor, means connecting said adjustable tool and said implement-adjusting arm on the tractor, and means for detachably connecting said arm with said power operated unit.

22. An agricultural implement adapted to be attached to a tractor having a power unit and a rockable member operated thereby, said implement comprising a frame, tool means movable relative to said frame, interengaging parts, one on the rear portion of the implement frame and one adapted to be mounted on the rear portion of the tractor for receiving the part on the rear portion of said implement frame, linkage means releasably connectible with said rockable member on the tractor and with the forward end of said frame for holding the latter in supported relation on the tractor, a lock for locking the implement frame to the tractor when said linkage means is released from said rockable member, and means also connecting said rockable member with said implement tool means for raising and lowering said implement tool means relative to said implement frame when said frame is connected with the tractor.

FRANK T. COURT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Harris Sept. 3, 1946 

